Chapter 268: Visiting Friends at Fu Mansion, Deep Love in Flower Garden
After returning from the Fang residence, Xiaoyanzi hurried Yongqi to the Fu Mansion. The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a rhythmic sound. The street scene outside the carriage window quickly receded. The cries of hawkers and the sounds of carriages and horses echoed one after another, revealing the unique bustle of the capital.
"Do you think Ziwei will be frightened when she sees us?" Xiaoyanzi peeked out of the car window, her nose almost touching the glass, the hem of her moon-white skirt slightly lifted by the wind.
Yong Qi reluctantly pulled her back and smoothed out her wind-blown hair. "Behave yourself, and be careful not to bump into anything." He brushed his fingertips across her cheek, feeling a hint of coolness. "It snowed yesterday, and the wind is strong. Tie your cloak tightly."
Little Swallow obediently tied the belt of her cloak, but her eyes were still gazing out the window with sparkling eyes: "I just want to see Ziwei soon! Do you think Erkang really planted a yard of crape myrtles for her? Will they bloom now?"
"Erkang said it's a new variety cultivated in the greenhouse, and it can bloom even in winter." Yongqi said, pulling out a small brocade box from his sleeve, "This is for you."
Xiaoyanzi opened the brocade box. Inside was a red gold and jade crabapple hairpin. The stamens were inlaid with a few tiny pearls, gleaming softly in the sunlight. Her eyes lit up. "What a beautiful thing! Is this for me?"
"Yes," Yongqi nodded and personally pinned it in her hair, his fingertips accidentally brushing her earlobe. "Last time I saw you staring at the Imperial Household Department's book for a long time, so I had someone shoot you."
Xiaoyanzi touched the hairpin on her head, feeling sweet inside. She suddenly leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Then, like a kitten stealing some fish, she quickly retreated, looking out the window with a blushing face: "Thank you...thank you, Prince Rong."
Yongqi was stunned for a moment, then he chuckled, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowing.
The carriage soon arrived at the gate of the Fu Mansion. Seeing that it was Prince Rong and Princess Rong, the Fu Mansion's doorman quickly bowed and saluted, "Your Highness, Princess Rong, please come in! Master Fu and Princess Mingzhu are admiring the flowers in the backyard."
Xiaoyanzi dragged Yongqi straight to the backyard. As they passed the moon gate, they saw Ziwei standing at the entrance to the greenhouse. She was wearing a lilac-colored jacket and skirt with silver fox fur trimmings at the collar and cuffs, which set off her skin like cream. Erkang stood behind her, putting a plain cloak on her, his movements as gentle as if he were protecting a rare treasure.
"Ziwei!" Xiaoyanzi shouted and ran over.
Ziwei turned around and saw Xiaoyanzi. Her eyes lit up instantly: "Xiaoyanzi! Why are you here?" She walked over quickly and held Xiaoyanzi's hand. "Come in quickly, it's cold outside."
Erkang also stepped forward and saluted: "Prince Rong, Princess Huanzhu."
"Master Fu, there's no need to be so polite." Yongqi returned the greeting, his eyes falling on the greenhouse. "Sure enough, there are flowers."
The greenhouse was warm and cozy, and the crape myrtles in the courtyard were in full bloom, pink, purple, and white, layer upon layer, a truly beautiful sight. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of flowers, mixed with the freshness of the earth, making one forget that it was winter.
"Wow! It's really blooming!" Little Swallow rushed into the greenhouse and gently touched the petals with her hand. "Erkang, you are amazing! This flower is so beautiful!"
Erkang smiled and said, "As long as Ziwei likes it." The look in his eyes when he looked at Ziwei was so gentle that water could drip out of it.
Ziwei glared at him with a red face and took Xiaoyanzi's hand: "Come in and warm up, your nose is red from the cold." She pointed to the stone table not far away and said, "I asked Jinsuo to prepare hot tea and snacks, sit there."
Several people sat around the stone table. Jinsuo served hot tea and snacks, and greeted Xiaoyanzi and Yongqi with a smile: "Prince, Princess."
"Jinsuo, long time no see, you're getting more and more beautiful!" Xiaoyanzi held Jinsuo's hand and joked, "If Liu Qing saw you, his eyes would pop out."
Jinsuo's cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head in embarrassment: "The princess is making fun of this servant again."
Ziwei smiled and came to the rescue: "Alright, stop bullying Jinsuo. You two are newlyweds, why don't you stay at the palace and take care of yourself? Why did you run out?"
"I missed you!" Xiaoyanzi picked up a piece of almond cake and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling, "It's too boring to stay in the palace. It's more fun to be with you guys."
Yongqi and Erkang exchanged a smile, then walked aside to talk. Erkang, dressed in royal blue uniform and a jade belt around his waist, stood tall and straight. "I heard the Wubei Academy has made a new batch of bows and arrows, and their range is 30% longer than before?"
"Yes," Yongqi nodded, "I've tried it, it's really good, but I need to pull the bow harder. Let's go to the hunting grounds and try it out someday?"
"Okay," Erkang agreed happily, "I've been feeling really bored lately, so it would be nice to get out and move around."
In the conservatory, Xiaoyanzi was pestering Ziwei to look at her dowry. "Look at this. It's a jade bracelet my mother gave me. She said it was passed down from the Fang family. And this is a hairpin Yongqi gave me. Isn't it beautiful?"
Ziwei smiled and nodded. "They all look good." She took out an embroidery frame from her makeup box. On it was a half-finished mandarin duck. "Look at mine. I only need a few stitches to finish it."
"How beautiful!" Xiaoyanzi leaned over to take a look. "Is this for Erkang?"
Ziwei blushed and nodded: "Yeah, I thought of making him a purse after I finish embroidering it."
"Tsk tsk tsk," Xiaoyanzi joked, "You're so clingy right after getting married. Be careful you get laughed at."
Ziwei nudged her gently and said, "You're the only one who talks too much." She looked at Xiaoyanzi, her eyes full of emotion, "I never thought we would be where we are today."
"Yes," Xiaoyanzi sighed, then laughed again, "But isn't it great now? You have Erkang, I have Yongqi, and Sister Qing'er has my brother. Everyone is doing well."
Ziwei nodded and held her hand: "That's great."
Just then, a small stool and a small table arrived, carrying food boxes, followed by little bugs and mosquitoes. As soon as the stool entered, it shouted, "Wow, long, dong! It's so warm in this greenhouse! Princess Mingzhu, Princess Huanzhu, we're here to bring you some delicious food!"
The little table opened the food box, revealing several plates of exquisite dim sum and a basket of steaming buns. "These are crab meat dumplings freshly made by the kitchen. The princess said you like them, so she sent me here specially."
The little bug came up to the flower and imitated the bird's chirping: "Chirp, chirp, chirp! This flower is growing beautifully, just as pretty as Princess Mingzhu!"
Xiao Xiaozi moved a small stool and sat down, clearing his throat. "Since we're here, let me tell you two ladies a story from Journey to the West to cheer you up! Speaking of that Monkey King..."
"Great, great!" Little Swallow clapped her hands and pulled Ziwei to sit beside her. "I love listening to Little Stool's storytelling the most!"
Erkang and Yongqi also came over, laughing as they listened to Xiaodengzi's storytelling. In the greenhouse, the fragrance of flowers lingered, laughter rang out, and the cold wind outside the window seemed to be isolated, leaving only warmth and tranquility in the room.
Xiaoyanzi looked at everything before her, her heart suddenly filled with gratitude. In this life, she finally had everything she wanted: a family that loved her, close friends, and a lover who cared for her. She quietly took Yongqi's hand and looked up at him, meeting his gentle gaze.
The sunlight shone through the greenhouse glass, falling on everyone's face, warm and bright. This was the perfection she had sought in both her lives, simple and true, year after year, and it was always like this.
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